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Science News Archive October 2019 - Page 2


Page 2 of 47

Artificial pancreas system better controls blood glucose levels than current technology

A multi-center trial found that the artificial pancreas system improved users' blood glucose control throughout the day and overnight, reducing hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia events. The study showed significant benefits of the new system over existing treatments, with no severe hypoglycemia events occurring in either group.

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 31, 2019

Ancient rhinos roamed the Yukon

A team of scientists has discovered ancient fossil teeth in the Yukon, which are believed to belong to a long-extinct cousin of modern rhinoceroses. The discovery provides a gap in the fossil record and sheds light on the migration patterns of animals during the Tertiary Period.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalAmerican Museum Novitates·DateOct 31, 2019

Butterfly genes flow

Researchers analyzed genome assemblies of 20 butterfly species and found a high amount of gene flow among them, even between distantly related species. This challenges the idea that species are fixed entities and suggests hybridization as a key process in biological diversity.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateOct 31, 2019

Skull dimensions of Dominicans and Haitians differ despite close physical proximity

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine found that Dominican and Haitian individuals can be differentiated with statistical certainty despite their close physical proximity. The study highlights the importance of conducting research on understudied groups to aid forensic specialists in identifying missing persons.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalForensic Science International·DateOct 31, 2019

Agriculture of the future: Neural networks have learned to predict plant growth

Researchers trained neural networks to predict plant growth patterns using computer vision algorithms and efficient graphics processing units. The system uses Raspberry Pi with Intel Movidius graphics card to calculate and predict the optimal ratio of nutrients, enabling continuous monitoring and prediction in artificial growing systems.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement·DateOct 31, 2019

Novel research aims to identify new medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing have discovered that GLP-1 receptor agonists can reduce oxycodone self-administration and relapse in rats. The study suggests a novel role for GLP-1 receptors in opioid-mediated behaviors, providing a potential new target for medications treating opioid use disorder.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalNeuropsychopharmacology·DateOct 31, 2019

How measles wipes out the body's immune memory

A study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that the measles virus depletes antibody repertoires, erasing immune memory to most previously encountered pathogens. This supports the immune amnesia hypothesis, suggesting that the vaccine's extended protective effects stem from preventing measles infection.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalScience·DateOct 31, 2019

Vampire bats give a little help to their 'friends'

Researchers observed vampire bats developing strong social bonds during captivity that persisted in the wild, suggesting shared history plays a role in maintaining relationships. The study used pioneering technology to track bat interactions and found test bats had stronger bonds with each other than control bats.

SourceOhio State University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 31, 2019

DNA exchange among species is major contributor to diversity in Heliconius butterflies

A new study finds that hybridization significantly influences the evolutionary history of Heliconius butterflies, contributing to their unique wing patterns. The research suggests that hybridization can provide genetic material for rapid adaptive divergence and radiation, leading to beneficial consequences in species evolution.

Researchers discover universal mechanisms controlling terrestrial and astrophysical explosions

A new study published in Science reveals the critical criteria for driving a flame to self-generate turbulence and transition into detonation, applicable to both Type Ia supernovae and hypersonic jet propulsion. This discovery may aid the understanding of certain kinds of supernovae and potentially lead to advancements in air and space...

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalScience·DateOct 31, 2019

Delayed neural communication may underlie anticipatory behaviors

Computational modeling suggests delayed neural communication underlies anticipatory behaviors, such as tapping along with a metronome or coordinating rowing. The study found that non-musicians exhibit a larger anticipatory tendency than musicians due to pruned attention towards external stimuli.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateOct 31, 2019

Bats in Northeast India carry filoviruses that can infect humans

Researchers found filovirus antibodies in 5.9% of human samples and up to 13.3% of bat species, including those with Ebola virus, Bundibugyo virus, Sudan virus, Marburg virus, and Mengla virus antibodies. The study highlights the need for surveillance at the human-animal interface.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateOct 31, 2019