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Science News Archive November 2019 - Page 34


Page 34 of 41

FOCUS may lower PE diagnosis in ED patients with suspected PE and abnormal vitals

A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that Focused Cardiac Ultrasound (FOCUS) can significantly lower the likelihood of pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosis in ED patients with suspected PE and abnormal vital signs. The results suggest that FOCUS can be an important tool in the initial evaluation of these patients.

SourceSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·DateNov 6, 2019

Study: Actually, potted plants don't improve indoor air quality

Researchers from Drexel University review a decade of studies on the air-purifying effects of potted plants and find that natural ventilation is far more effective at cleaning the air than plants. To compete with building air handling systems, it would take between 10 to 1,000 plants per square meter of floor space.

SourceDrexel University·JournalJournal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology·DateNov 6, 2019

VA investigates impact of opioids, sedatives on veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs is investigating the impact of opioids and sedatives on veteran health, with a focus on reducing overdose and death rates. The study aims to identify effective treatment strategies for co-prescribing these medications, which have been linked to increased risks of respiratory depression and suicide.

A novel method for analyzing marine sediments contributes to paleoclimate reconstitution

Researchers developed a novel method using quartz and feldspar grains from the Parnaíba River in Brazil's Northeast region. The analysis reveals significant differences in luminescence between samples from headwaters and lower reaches of the river, reflecting changes in precipitation patterns over the past 30,000 years.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalPaleoceanography and Paleoclimatology·DateNov 6, 2019

NIH-funded study: Placenta imaging method may aid diagnosis of pregnancy complications

Researchers developed a new imaging technique to track maternal blood flow to the placenta, identifying women at risk for complications such as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. The study found that women with reduced placental blood flow later developed one or more complications.

Imaging test may help predict the success of labor induction

Researchers tested an imaging technique to assess cervix stiffness before labor induction, finding it can predict successful outcomes and potentially reduce cesarean rates. The study suggests a new ultrasonic assessment method could replace manual evaluation for more accurate information.

SourceWiley·JournalActa Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica·DateNov 6, 2019

Neuron circuitry from brain signals

Researchers at Kyoto University developed a machine learning model that reconstructs neuronal circuitry by analyzing brain signal spikes, estimating the strength of nerve connections with high accuracy. The findings, published in Nature Communications, have the potential to elucidate how different brain regions process information.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 6, 2019

Electrochemistry amps up in pharma

Researchers use electrochemistry to synthesize difficult-to-make compounds and reduce waste and toxic byproducts compared to traditional chemical reagents. The ElectraSyn 2.0 module has enabled chemists to access the technology without electronics expertise, but scaling up production remains a challenge.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateNov 6, 2019

School-based sleep program may benefit adolescents

A school-based sleep education program may benefit adolescents by reducing insufficient sleep and improving sleep knowledge. The program showed promising results, with participants two times less likely to report insufficient sleep at follow-up.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Sleep Research·DateNov 6, 2019

Study questions video games' effects on violent behavior

A new study examined data from over 15,000 participants and found that playing video games as an adolescent is not linked to acts of violence in young adulthood. The research suggests that competing factors, such as gender differences, may contribute to the observed relationship between gaming and fighting.

SourceWiley·JournalContemporary Economic Policy·DateNov 6, 2019

AI learns to design

Researchers developed an AI framework that learns human design strategies through observation, enabling it to generate new designs without explicit goal information or bias. The AI performed better than humans on average, but its success came without the advantages humans have, such as specific goals and feedback.

Determinants of employability of people living with HIV/AIDS

A study of 170 people living with HIV/AIDS in Turkey found that younger individuals, wealthier participants, and those working at diagnosis had higher employment rates. Illicit drug use, longer time since diagnosis, and low CD4 T cells counts were negatively associated with employment.

SourceWiley·JournalAmerican Journal of Industrial Medicine·DateNov 6, 2019

Researchers model avalanches in two dimensions

Cornell researchers have modeled crackling noise in two dimensions, using a combination of mathematical schemes to solve a decades-old problem. The study sheds light on the behavior of avalanches and crackling noise near critical points, making an important step toward a fuller understanding.

SourceCornell University·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateNov 6, 2019

Researchers explore neuromarkers for poor social outcomes after traumatic brain injury

A study found associations between default mode network connectivity and emotion recognition and social integration in individuals with moderate to severe brain injury. Increased prefrontal-temporal connectivity predicted participants' level of social integration, underscoring the importance of brain connectivity metrics in TBI recovery.

SourceKessler Foundation·JournalFrontiers in Neurology·DateNov 6, 2019

Helping quinoa brave the heat

Researchers developed new techniques to measure heat tolerance in quinoa, a health food rich in essential amino acids. The method uses spectral reflectance indices to assess plant growth under high temperatures, providing insights into grain production and paving the way for breeding more resilient varieties.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateNov 6, 2019

A mechanism capable of preserving muscle mass

Researchers identify protein CaVbeta1E that promotes muscle mass maintenance via GDF5 signaling, counteracting sarcopenia. The study opens a new field of activity in developing therapeutic strategies against muscular decline associated with aging.

SourceAFM-Téléthon·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateNov 6, 2019