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Science News Archive June 2019 - Page 4


Page 4 of 41

Solar energy could turn the Belt and Road Initiative green

Researchers found that the region covered by the Belt and Road Initiative has significant solar energy potential, capable of meeting up to 41 times current electricity demand. The study suggests a possible solution to reduce BRI countries' need for fossil fuels, achieving emission reduction goals set by the Paris Agreement.

SourceCell Press·JournalJoule·DateJun 27, 2019

Children living in countryside outperform children living in metropolitan area in motor skills

Finnish children from rural areas demonstrated better motor skills and spent more time outdoors than their urban counterparts. Participation in organized sports also supported motor development. The Skilled Kids study highlights the importance of environmental factors on childhood motor skills.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateJun 27, 2019

Boosting amino acid derivative may be a treatment for schizophrenia

Research from RIKEN Center for Brain Science found that betaine supplementation can counteract psychiatric symptoms in mice, including depressive behaviors and reduced oxidative stress. The study also identified a genetic variant predicting betaine's treatment efficacy, a potential example of precision medicine in psychiatry.

SourceRIKEN·JournalEBioMedicine·DateJun 26, 2019

Organic farming enhances honeybee colony performance

Research conducted by the CNRS found that organic farming boosts honeybee colonies with 37% more brood, 20% more adult bees, and 53% greater honey production. This may be due to a wider diversity of pollen resources or lower pesticide mortality.

SourceCNRS·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateJun 26, 2019

To increase bike commuters, look to neighborhoods

A recent study published in the Journal of Transport and Land Use found that people living in high-density, mixed-use neighborhoods are more likely to commute by bike. High-density areas such as downtowns and college campuses tend to have higher rates of bike commuting due to increased safety and accessibility.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Transport and Land Use·DateJun 26, 2019

The Lancet: HPV vaccination programs have substantial impact in reducing HPV infections and precancerous cervical lesions

A meta-analysis of 60 million individuals in high-income countries found significant decreases in HPV infections, anogenital wart diagnoses, and precancerous cervical lesions (CIN2+) after girls-only HPV vaccination. The study supports the WHO's revised position on vaccinating multiple age cohorts of girls aged 9-14 years old.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateJun 26, 2019

Cascade exacerbates storage diseases

A defective degradation enzyme leads to the accumulation of gangliosides, causing deterioration in patients with storage diseases. Researchers have discovered that genetic disorders can trigger a cascade of consequential damages.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalJournal of Lipid Research·DateJun 26, 2019

Natural ingredients in supplements, nutraceuticals get a new type of barcode

A team of researchers has developed a method to authenticate botanical ingredients by assigning unique chemical barcodes, which can distinguish between different parts of the same plant and detect chemical contaminants. The new barcode system uses nuclear magnetic resonance and statistical analysis to group similar samples together.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateJun 26, 2019