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Science News Archive June 2019 - Page 5


Page 5 of 41

Towards a worldwide inventory of all plants

A global database of regional plant life has been developed to document and understand global plant diversity. The Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT) collates information about the plant species composition in nearly 2,900 regions, covering about 79% of the global land surface.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalJournal of Biogeography·DateJun 26, 2019

Practice makes perfect

The Argonne team applied Bayesian methods to quantify uncertainties in the thermodynamic properties of hafnium, a key component in computer electronics. They found that traditional models often lacked error bars or uncertainties, leading to inaccurate predictions.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalInternational Journal of Engineering Science·DateJun 26, 2019

ALS patients may benefit from more glucose

A new study by University of Arizona researchers suggests that ALS patients may benefit from more glucose, as it can help increase energy production and improve cellular function. The findings, published in eLife, reveal that when ALS-affected neurons are given more glucose, they are able to survive longer and function better.

Horticulture CSI

Researchers Gary Bachman, Christine Coker, and Patricia Knight solved the mystery of the Long Beach red radish's disappearance through investigative work. The rediscovery may lead to the restoration of this once-prominent vegetable as a significant economic force in truck cropping.

Science snapshots: A toxin antidote in frogs, atomic motion in 4D, and better biofuels

Scientists have discovered a natural defense against the deadly neurotoxin saxitoxin in bullfrogs, which could lead to the first-ever antidote for this compound. Additionally, researchers have captured atomic motion in 4D and identified a molecular switch that promotes IIL tolerance in bacteria, paving the way for better biofuels.

New knowledge on the development of asthma

A study published in Immunity reveals that the synthesis and breakdown of fats play a crucial role in asthma-related inflammation. Researchers used single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze gene expression in immune cells exposed to house dust mites, finding a unique profile of genes linked to fat metabolism.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalImmunity·DateJun 26, 2019

Hidden consciousness detectable with EEG just days after brain injury

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that nearly 1 in 7 brain-injured ICU patients show evidence of hidden consciousness just days after injury. Patients with such signs are more likely to recover, according to researchers at Columbia University and NewYork-Presbyterian. The technique used to detect hidden con...

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 26, 2019

What made humans 'the fat primate'?

Research suggests that humans have lost the ability to shunt fat cells toward beige or brown fat, leading to an increased reliance on calorie-storing white fat. This shift may have provided an energy advantage for human brain growth, but also contributes to modern obesity.

SourceDuke University·JournalGenome Biology and Evolution·DateJun 26, 2019