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Science News Archive May 2019 - Page 35


Page 35 of 42

Side-by-side comparison on point of care tests for blood's ability to clot

Researchers compared common bedside testing platforms to determine blood clotting speed and found the iSTAT platform offers a better balance of speed and accuracy. The Hepcon system provides consistent results with lab-based anti-Xa tests but lacks physiologically active heparin levels, making it less valuable for patient care.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalLaboratory Medicine·DateMay 7, 2019

Learning language

Researchers discovered that the right hemisphere plays a crucial role in processing foreign speech sounds at the beginning of language learning. Successful learners showed increased activity in the right hemisphere during sound recognition tasks. The study's findings have the potential to improve instructional methods for adult learners.

How common is alcoholic fatty liver disease?

A study examining national survey data found that approximately 10.9 million Americans have alcoholic fatty liver disease, highlighting the need for awareness and prevention efforts. The study's findings also suggest a significant association between heavy drinking and the development of this condition.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateMay 7, 2019

Train your brain to eat less sugar

A new study from Drexel University shows that a computer game can be used to train individuals to eat less sugar, leading to weight loss and improved health. The 'Diet DASH' game targets the part of the brain that inhibits impulses with the goal of reducing sweet food consumption.

SourceDrexel University·JournalJournal of Behavioral Medicine·DateMay 7, 2019

Dehesa health starts from the ground up

Soil microbiome plays crucial role in woodland health, influencing pathogens that affect holm oak and improving trees' resilience. The study found that beneficial microorganisms like Trichoderma can help prevent oomycete pathogens, while mycorrhizae abundance leads to reduced defoliation.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 7, 2019

Patients of medicare providers committing fraud, abuse more likely to be poor, disabled

A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that patients treated by Medicare providers committing fraud and abuse are more likely to be minorities, disabled, and dually-enrolled in Medicaid. The study analyzed data from 2012-2015 and identified over 1 million beneficiaries treated by excluded providers.

Clinical trial concludes transcatheter aortic valve replacement can be considered for patients in all surgical risk classes

A clinical trial found that transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is equivalent or potentially preferable to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for low-risk surgical patients. TAVR showed strong post-procedure benefits, including reduced re-hospitalizations and improved quality of life metrics at 30 days.

Hopping bacteria

Bacteria use a hopping motion to move through tight spaces in the human intestine, improving medical and environmental technologies. Researchers at Princeton University developed a new model with improved accuracy, leveraging complex geometry simulations.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 6, 2019

When a tree falls in St. Louis, will the power go out?

Researchers mapped eight tree species in Forest Park using satellite imaging data and machine learning techniques. The data will help inform best practices for managing healthy green spaces and trimming programs to avoid power outages following storms. By analyzing tree health and species, experts can track growth rates and identify tr...

SourceSaint Louis University·JournalSensors·DateMay 6, 2019

The perils of a leader who is too extroverted

A new study suggests that overly extroverted leaders can come across as pushy or annoying, while a moderate amount of assertiveness and warmth may be more effective. However, prosocial motivation can help highly extroverted leaders receive better marks from their peers.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateMay 6, 2019

Radical desalination approach may disrupt the water industry

Researchers at Columbia University have developed a novel desalination approach called temperature swing solvent extraction (TSSE) for treating high-salinity brines. TSSE can efficiently remove salt and recover water, with the potential to transform the water industry by reducing energy consumption and costs.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·DateMay 6, 2019

New 3-foot-tall relative of Tyrannosaurus rex

A new, smaller relative of the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex has been discovered by Virginia Tech paleontologist Sterling Nesbitt. The newly named Suskityrannus hazelae stood 3 feet tall and weighed between 45-90 pounds, with a diet likely consisting of small animals. The fossil dates back 92 million years to the Cretaceous Period.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateMay 6, 2019

Heart failure deaths rising in younger adults

Death rates due to heart failure are increasing among younger adults under 65, with black men under age 65 facing the largest increase in premature death. The study found that an estimated 6 million adults in the US have heart failure, which is the number one reason older adults are admitted to hospital.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMay 6, 2019

Public dread of nuclear power limits its use

A recent study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that public fear of nuclear power leads to a 40% decrease in chosen nuclear generation. The team surveyed over 1,200 US respondents and showed some with the names of energy sources and others with risk information to disentangle the root causes of public opinion.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalEnergy Policy·DateMay 6, 2019

Genetic adaptation to climate change

A new approach to assessing species vulnerability considers genetic variation, reducing overestimation of extinction risk. The study found that bats can adapt to changing environments, allowing them to breed with populations in different climates.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 6, 2019

Men taking medications for enlarged prostate face delays in prostate cancer diagnosis

Research reveals men treated for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with 5-α-reductase inhibitors experienced a two-year delay in prostate cancer diagnosis and were twice as likely to have advanced disease. PSA suppression from these medications led to delays in diagnosis, potentially resulting in worsened clinical outcomes.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMay 6, 2019

A step closer to future 5G smartphones with the world's first Antenna-on-Display

Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed an innovative Antenna-on-Display (AoD) technology that embeds antennas within super-resolution displays. This technology eliminates the trade-off between ergonomics, esthetics, and technology in 5G smartphones, enabling the deployment of new concepts for 5G devices.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalIEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters·DateMay 6, 2019

Making a 'to do' list for trauma docs

A digital procedural checklist for trauma centers has been developed and implemented, supporting trauma teams without hindering performance. The checklist, which includes over 55 tasks, was designed through years of collaborative research and testing, and its use in real trauma settings showed positive results.

Vaccine design can dramatically improve cancer immunotherapies

Researchers at Northwestern University have designed spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) that stimulate powerful anti-cancer immune responses, completely eliminating tumors in 30% of animals and improving overall survival. The study's findings highlight the importance of chemical structure and three-dimensional presentation in vaccine design.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 6, 2019