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Science News Archive October 2019 - Page 4


Page 4 of 47

Opioid-related gifts from pharma companies linked to physician prescribing by specialty

A new study found that physicians who received gifts related to opioid medications were more likely to prescribe opioids the following year. The study also revealed significant variability in opioid prescribing across different medical specialties, with primary care physicians and psychiatrists being among those most likely to be in th...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateOct 30, 2019

What makes the Earth's surface move?

A team of scientists found that two-thirds of the Earth's surface moves faster than the underlying mantle, with the surface dragging the interior. The study suggests that the balance of forces changes over geological time, especially for continents.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 30, 2019

Faster heartbeat helps deer mice to survive at high altitudes

Researchers discovered a genetic variant in the Epas1 gene that enables high-altitude deer mice to survive by increasing their heart rate in response to low oxygen levels. This adaptation is also found in Tibetans living at high altitudes, suggesting potential benefits for long-term survival.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateOct 30, 2019

Nanoceramics from the ball mill

Researchers have found a way to produce corundum nanoparticles using simple mechanochemistry in a ball mill, which could lead to more robust and easier-to-manufacture automotive catalysts and ceramics. The production method involves grinding lumps of boehmite in a ball mill for 3 hours and then heating them briefly.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateOct 30, 2019

Bionic breakthrough

The Utah Bionic Leg, developed by the University of Utah, enables amputees to walk with more power and better balance. The prosthetic limb features sensors, motors, a computer processor, and artificial intelligence that work together to provide assistance during walking and other activities.

In one direction or the other: That is how DNA is unwound

A study published in PNAS reveals that DNA helicases unwind the double strand more easily in one direction than the other, with the speed of unwinding depending on the sequence composition of the bases. This discovery has implications for understanding gene expression and the regulation of cellular activities.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 30, 2019

Twisted physics

A new study reveals twisted bilayer graphene can exhibit superconducting and insulating regions, increasing its usefulness for electronic devices. The discovery is a significant advance in the emerging field of Twistronics, enabling the creation of materials with high-temperature superconductivity.

Tiny swimming donuts deliver the goods

Researchers created microscopic, 3D-printed tori (donuts) coated with nickel and platinum to mimic biological behavior. These 'micro swimmers' can swim in water, respond to signals, and transport particles, potentially delivering targeted drugs or aiding in micromixing.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 30, 2019

Avocados may help manage obesity, prevent diabetes

Researchers have discovered that avocatin B, found only in avocados, counters incomplete oxidation in skeletal muscle and the pancreas, reducing insulin resistance. The study found significant weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity in mice fed with a high-fat diet supplemented with AvoB.

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalMolecular Nutrition & Food Research·DateOct 30, 2019