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Science News Archive June 2019 - Page 21


Page 21 of 41

Penn engineers demonstrate superstrong, reversible adhesive that works like snail slime

The Penn team created an adhesive that mimics the snail's epiphragm, allowing for strong adhesion and easy reversibility. The breakthrough was achieved using a polymer called PHEMA, which conforms to small grooves on surfaces when wet, making it stick, and hardens into those cavities when dry, securing itself firmly.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 17, 2019

Repurposing existing drugs or combining therapies could help in the treatment of autoimmune diseases

Scientists have discovered that re-purposing existing drugs or combining therapies may help treat patients with difficult-to-treat autoimmune diseases. The research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that fibroblasts play a critical role in the formation and maintenance of tertiary lymphoid structures.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 17, 2019

Climate change in West Africa

The WASCAL project aims to address new research questions, further develop the research infrastructure, and train African scientists. The team will also create a data cube for satellite data and assess the effects of climate change on fires in West Africa.

Managing the risk of aggressive dog behavior

A study by the University of Bristol found that dog owners' perceptions of effectiveness and confidence in using behaviour modification techniques are crucial in predicting their adoption of positive reinforcement-based solutions. Positive reinforcement-based techniques are humane and effective, while punishment-based methods can exace...

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalRisk Analysis·DateJun 17, 2019

Interest free loans could prevent homelessness and save councils millions, according to a new study

A new study published in Public Money & Management suggests that interest-free loan schemes can help prevent homelessness and save local authorities money. The study, funded by the British Academy, details a £85,000 grant scheme in Lewisham, which has helped over 300 families escape eviction and saved the council £1 million.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalPublic Money & Management·DateJun 16, 2019

The complex fate of Antarctic species in the face of a changing climate

Scientists warn that Antarctic species are at risk due to declining oxygen levels in the ocean, which could lead to extinction for larger marine invertebrates and fish. The study found that some species have evolved mechanisms to compensate for reduced oxygen, but many large species will likely be impacted by climate change.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateJun 16, 2019

UVA scientists use machine learning to improve gut disease diagnosis

Researchers at UVA are using machine learning algorithms on biopsy images to diagnose environmental enteric dysfunction, a disease that affects hundreds of thousands of children worldwide. The technology has the potential to provide insights that evade human eyes, validate pathologists' diagnoses and shorten treatment times.

Exciting plant vacuoles

Researchers discovered that TPC1 ion channel contributes to plant excitability, enabling plants to respond to stressors. The study sheds light on plant communication and may lead to breeding more resilient crop varieties.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 14, 2019

Phantom sensations: When the sense of touch deceives

A study by Bielefeld University and New York University reveals that healthy adults systematically misattribute touch on the hands to the feet and vice versa. The researchers found that three characteristics of touch - limb identity, side of body, and canonical anatomical position - contribute to phantom sensations.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 14, 2019