Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive May 2019 - Page 29


Page 29 of 42

Our history in the stars

Researchers mapped aluminum monoxide around a distant young star, clarifying details about our solar system's formation. The findings suggest that AlO gas rapidly condenses into solid grains, similar to calcium and aluminum-rich inclusions found in asteroids.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMay 10, 2019

Tech-savvy people more likely to trust digital doctors

Researchers found that tech-savvy people are more accepting of digital healthcare services, particularly when they have a strong belief in machine abilities and high levels of expertise. This suggests that designing interfaces to appeal to expert users can increase the adoption of automated healthcare providers.

Computing faster with quasi-particles

Scientists from the University of Würzburg and Harvard University successfully created quasi-particles called Majorana fermions in a two-dimensional system, paving the way for topological quantum computers. This breakthrough enables more powerful and efficient computing capabilities.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature·DateMay 10, 2019

Treatment to restore natural heartbeat could be on the horizon for heart failure

Researchers compared two cardiac resynchronization therapies in a pilot study, finding comparable rates of response between His bundle pacing and biventricular pacing. The study suggests that His bundle pacing may be a viable alternative for treating heart failure patients with electrical disturbances.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMay 10, 2019

A new view of wintertime air pollution

A recent study found that targeting nitrogen oxides emitted by cars and power plants may increase harmful wintertime air pollution in the US West. Instead, limiting volatile organic compounds could be a more effective way to reduce particulate matter pollution.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 9, 2019

Are otters threatening amphibian populations?

Research in southern Italy found that otters eat 12% of their prey items, including 28 species, with increased predation in Alpine regions during winter and spring. This suggests a previously underestimated threat to small amphibian populations.

SourceWiley·JournalMammal Review·DateMay 9, 2019

Finnish researchers discover a new moth family

Researchers have discovered a new moth family, Ustyurtiidae, in Eurasia, revealing the existence of previously unknown species. The newly described family is a sibling group of the false burnet moth family Urodidae, and its members are well adapted to hot desert conditions.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalInsect Systematics & Evolution·DateMay 9, 2019

Scientists grow precursors for human pigment cells

Researchers at Kobe University successfully grew precursors for human pigment cells, providing a stable supply of melanocytes for research on melanoma and other pigment cell-related illnesses. These precursor cells can be used to study the causes of albinism, freckles, and melanoma.

SourceKobe University·JournalPigment Cell & Melanoma Research·DateMay 9, 2019

Plants and the art of microbial maintenance

A joint study reveals that plants utilize their root-derived chemicals to shape and maintain diverse microbial communities. The findings provide a gateway to engineering plant root microbiota in major crops, potentially leading to improved productivity and sustainability.

SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalScience·DateMay 9, 2019

The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology and The Lancet Respiratory Medicine: Whole body MRI may help to detect spread of cancers more quickly

New trials suggest whole body MRI can diagnose cancer stage more quickly and accurately than standard imaging for colorectal and non-small cell lung cancers. This reduces treatment decision time from an average of 13 days to 8 days, while costs are lowered by nearly a quarter in some cases.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology·DateMay 9, 2019

Back to the sources of neural diversity

Swiss and Belgian researchers decipher the genetic programmes of neurons in the cerebral cortex to understand how specific cell types are generated. They found temporal patterns of gene expression that control the developmental scenario, which may contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalScience·DateMay 9, 2019

Bullying linked to student's pain medication use

A school-based survey study in Iceland found that bullied students were more likely to use pain medications, despite controlling for pain levels. The study suggests that interventions aimed at reducing bullying may help reduce analgesic use in adolescents.

SourceWiley·JournalActa Paediatrica·DateMay 9, 2019

Substrate defects key to growth of 2D materials

Penn State researchers have discovered a way to control substrate defects to improve the quality of 2D materials, enabling wafer-scale growth. The new method uses hexagonal boron nitride as a surface to orient transition metal dichalcogenides in a preferred direction.

SourcePenn State·JournalACS Nano·DateMay 9, 2019

Study questions current regulations on light pollution and calls for paradigm shift

Researchers argue that Spain's current regulations on light pollution are inadequate and propose a change in approach to minimize the problem. Using white light instead of yellow light can provide significant energy savings while maintaining user safety, with potential benefits for environmental and economic aspects as well.

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalLEUKOS The Journal of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America·DateMay 9, 2019

A deep-dive into the impact of arthritis drugs on gene expression

A new computational framework has compared four rheumatoid arthritis medications' impact on biological pathways in mice, revealing previously unknown differences in gene expression. The study suggests that some treatments may affect non-arthritis-related genes, providing new insights into arthritis pathology mechanisms.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateMay 9, 2019

Does sunscreen compromise vitamin D levels?

Researchers found that using high UVA protection factor sunscreen allows for better vitamin D synthesis due to increased UVB transmission. Despite concerns, optimal sunscreen use does not harm vitamin D production, according to a new study published in the British Journal of Dermatology.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Dermatology·DateMay 9, 2019