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Science News Archive November 2019 - Page 9


Page 9 of 41

Changing experiences of the natural world

A growing digital connection to wildlife is crucial for securing broad public support for wildlife protection, according to a new study. Digital innovations such as fitness apps, live feeds, and virtual reality experiences are changing cultural relationships with wildlife.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalOne Earth·DateNov 22, 2019

Tiny devices made of DNA detect cancer with fewer false alarms

Researchers at Duke University have developed DNA-based biomolecular reaction networks that can identify cancer cells by analyzing molecular signatures on their surface. The technology distinguishes cell types with higher specificity than previous methods, making it a promising step toward more accurate cancer screenings and therapies.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateNov 22, 2019

Virtual reality would make attending therapy easier for stroke survivors

A virtual reality clinic created by researchers at North Carolina State University makes it easier for stroke survivors to attend physical and occupational therapy sessions. The system, called VERGE, encourages participants to work on therapy exercises with loved ones remotely, leading to increased attendance and engagement.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation·DateNov 22, 2019

Zhu examining tolled & priced lanes

Shanjiang Zhu and team to evaluate three alternative modeling approaches for demand responses to tolled and priced lanes, producing detailed technical reports on methods and findings. The study aims to inform FHWA's state-of-art modeling strategies, informing their applicability in different applications.

Filaments that structure DNA

Researchers at the University of Freiburg have discovered a mechanism by which actin filaments are formed in the nucleus, controlling chromatin dynamics and influencing genome readability. Physiological messengers trigger the assembly and disassembly of actin filaments, regulating the density of chromosomes.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 22, 2019

United in musical diversity

A recent study in Science journal found that all cultures studied have similar music characteristics, such as fast rhythms for dance and soft tempos for lullabies. This suggests that there are fundamental universal properties of music that reflect commonalities in human cognition.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalScience·DateNov 22, 2019

DNA repeats -- the genome's dark matter

A new method has been developed to analyze pathogenic DNA repeats in the human genome, revealing their role in genetic diseases such as Fragile X syndrome. The technique combines nanopore sequencing, stem cell culture, and CRISPR-Cas technologies to provide detailed insights into these previously inaccessible regions.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateNov 22, 2019

Multifunctional small brains

Researchers at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience found that the cerebellum is involved in higher perceptual abilities beyond motor coordination. The discovery highlights the importance of functioning small brains in social cognition and suggests that problems with the cerebellum may impair aspects of this cognitive function.