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Science News Archive September 2019 - Page 38


Page 38 of 43

Earthquake symmetry

A recent study analyzed 100,000 localized seismic events to search for patterns in the data. Researchers found that earthquakes of differing magnitudes share more similarities than previously thought, suggesting predictable characteristics may aid forecasting.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature·DateSep 4, 2019

Young adults exposed to incarceration as children prone to depression

A study published in JAMA Network Open found that young adults with a history of parental incarceration and juvenile justice involvement are nearly three times more likely to have depression or PTSD compared to peers without any experience with the criminal justice system. Anxiety is also nearly twice as common in this population.

Paper: As an act of self-disclosure, workplace creativity can be risky business

A new study by Jack Goncalo reveals that creativity in the workplace can lead to self-disclosure, as employees share unique perspectives and ideas that reflect their personal preferences. This can make the creative act feel risky and consequential, particularly when sharing ideas with colleagues.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateSep 4, 2019

New research offers solution to reduce organ shortage crisis

A new study in INFORMS journal Management Science proposes a two-part method combining the donor-priority rule and freeze-period to increase organ quality and quantity. The solution is estimated to boost social welfare by $235 million a year and add 18 years to patient life expectancy, while increasing organ availability by 13%.

Seeking moments of disorder

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara discovered a new material state with quantum disordered liquid-like magnetic moments in sodium ytterbium oxide. This finding confirms the existence of a long-sought 'quantum spin liquid state,' which is desirable due to its association with entanglement.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Physics·DateSep 4, 2019

Squirrels listen in to birds' conversations as signal of safety

Eastern gray squirrels in Ohio parks exhibit decreased vigilance when hearing bird species' casual chatter after a simulated hawk call, suggesting they can tap into cues of safety. The findings support the idea that non-alarm sounds like bird chatter could be as important as danger signals for these animals.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 4, 2019

Single traumatic brain injury can have long-term consequences for cognition

Researchers studied tau protein accumulation after a single traumatic brain injury (TBI) in 32 individuals and found increased deposition of tau associated with poorer memory and cognitive performance. Higher tau levels were also linked to more severe neurodegeneration and damage to the brain's white matter.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateSep 4, 2019

Story tips from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, September 2019

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed a predictive model to identify veterans at risk of suicide, accelerating the process by running 300 times faster. Additionally, they discovered a lubricant that reduces friction in gears, increasing durability and efficiency. These breakthroughs aim to improve healthcare services f...

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 4, 2019

Benefits of cognitive behavioural therapy for IBS continue 2 years after treatment

A new study published in Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) tailored for IBS can provide effective, long-term relief despite patients having no further therapy. The research indicates that easily accessible treatment could be provided to a large number of patients with IBS.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalThe Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology·DateSep 4, 2019

Secret messages hidden in light-sensitive polymers

Scientists at CNRS have created polymers that can change information stored on a molecular level using specific wavelengths of light. This technology allows for the storage and decoding of secret messages, with potential applications in designing new materials.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 4, 2019

Ageing research to accelerate with experimental validation in AI-powered drug discovery

Researchers have developed an AI-powered drug discovery tool that validates novel drug candidates in just 46 days, significantly reducing the traditional 2-3 year timeline. The foundation aims to motivate researchers to harness AI's potential in longevity research and encourage larger developers to adopt AI-powered programs.

SourceBiogerontology Research Foundation·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateSep 4, 2019

Why transporters really matter for cell factories

Researchers found that certain transporter proteins, such as MAE1 from Schizosaccharomyces pombe, can improve the secretion of dicarboxylic acids in baker's yeast with minimal energy expenditure. Building a comprehensive library of transporters will enable more efficient strain development and precise drug development.

SourceTechnical University of Denmark·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 4, 2019

New guideline clarifies role of radiation therapy in pancreatic cancer treatment

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has released a new clinical guideline recommending the use of radiation therapy in pre-surgical, post-surgical, definitive and palliative settings. The guideline emphasizes a patient-centered approach integrating patients' values and preferences into treatment decisions.

SourceAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology·JournalPractical Radiation Oncology·DateSep 4, 2019

Methane-producing microorganism makes a meal of iron

A new study by Penn State researchers proposes an updated biochemical pathway explaining how Methanosarcina acetivorans uses iron to produce methane and carbon dioxide. The microorganism can now be manipulated to alter greenhouse gas production, offering potential for climate change mitigation.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 4, 2019